Social Problems

An Introduction to Critical Constructionism

Fourth Edition

Robert Heiner

Social Problems: An Introduction to Critical Constructionism synthesizes conflict theory and social constructionism to help students think critically about social problems. A concise, student-friendly alternative to all-encompassing standard textbooks, this book examines a single theoretical paradigm in depth, demonstrating how theory can be used to understand a range of critical social issues.

Social Problems

An Introduction to Critical Constructionism

Fourth Edition

Robert Heiner

Description

Social Problems: An Introduction to Critical Constructionism synthesizes conflict theory and social constructionism to help students think critically about social problems. A concise, student-friendly alternative to all-encompassing standard textbooks, this book examines a single theoretical paradigm in depth, demonstrating how theory can be used to understand a range of critical social issues.

New to the Fourth Edition:

* A new chapter on inequality of life chances in the U.S., with updated material on race, a new discussion of gender inequality, fresh material on health care, and a new section on education and inequality* Chapter 4 on family includes a new section on same-sex marriage* Chapter 5 on crime and deviance provides a new
section introducing the sociological concept of social control as it relates to the medicalization of deviance* New discussions of the "Great Recession," the Occupy Wall Street movement, and the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission

Previous publication dates

Social Problems

An Introduction to Critical Constructionism

Fourth Edition

Robert Heiner

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Sociology of Social Problems The Sociological Perspective Critical Constructionism Non-Sociological Philosophies The Cross-Cultural and Global Perspectives Corporate America The Media The Homogenization of Culture Summary The Plan of this Book Author's Note

Chapter 2: Inequality and Capitalism An Introduction to Critical Economics The Gap between the Rich and the Rest The Plight of the American WorkerPovertyGlobal InequalitiesApplication: The Gross Domestic Product

Chapter 3: Inequality of Life Chances in the United States Inequality and Race Inequality and Gender Inequality and Education Inequality and Health Care
Application: Immigration

Chapter 4: Problems of the Family The Family in Historical Perspective The Current State of the Family Children: Our Most Precious Resource Capitalism vs. the Family Same-Sex Marriage Application: Children Having Children

Chapter 5: Crime and Deviance Universality and Relativity Examples of the Relativity of Deviance The Cultural Production of Knowledge about Crime Crime Scares Street Crime The American Punishment Frenzy The Medicalization of Deviance Application: Terrorism

Social Problems

An Introduction to Critical Constructionism

Robert Heiner

Author Information

Robert Heiner is Professor and Coordinator of Sociology at Plymouth State University. He is editor of Deviance Across Cultures (OUP, 2007) and a number of other anthologies.

Social Problems

An Introduction to Critical Constructionism

Fourth Edition

Robert Heiner

Reviews and Awards

"This impressive and accessible volume uses a unique theoretical framework to discuss and analyze some of the most important social problems at the dawn of the twenty-first century. It is packed with insightful information that will be useful to students, scholars, and educated laymen alike."--William Julius Wilson, Harvard University

"From the opening words, I found the book to be exciting, vibrant, and engaging. As I was reading, I found that I could not put the book down. I have NEVER had that experience with any other textbook. I have previously used "standard" social problems texts for the course, and would characterize Heiner's book as different from (and superior to) those so-called standard texts. Heiner has managed to skillfully and successfully integrate a variety of material into the current configuration of chapters. I will absolutely adopt this new edition."--Kathy Zawicki, St. Bonaventure University

"This is a short social problems text that avoids the 'laundry list' approach to studying social problems by focusing on four specific areas of social life: inequality, family, crime and environment. It presents a clear theoretical approach that melds the best of symbolic interactionist approaches to social problems without losing focus on social inequality."--Karen Kendrick, Albertus Magnus College